Hong Kong Oriental Men’s Basketball Team Gears Up for AFC Champions League Qualifiers
Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, March 28 (Reporters Wei Hua and Wang Zijiang) – With the first phase of the Asian Basketball Champions League qualifiers set to take place in early April, the Hong Kong Oriental Men’s Basketball Team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. In a public training session on the 28th, the team expressed their eagerness to participate in the rare opportunity and gain valuable experience in international competitions.
The qualifying round is divided into two stages, with eight teams vying for two coveted spots in the main game. Among the six teams set to participate in the main event are the champions of the CBA (China Men’s Basketball Professional League).
Having recently clinched the Hong Kong League One Championship in February, the Oriental Men’s Basketball Team is riding high on their recent success. Team leader Cai Fangyu acknowledged the challenges of tight preparation timelines, with many players only just returning from a three-week break during the Chinese New Year. Cai emphasized the importance of team coordination and unity, especially with the inclusion of foreign players in the roster.
Reflecting on Hong Kong’s past glory in basketball, Cai recalled the team’s championship win in 1997 and emphasized the importance of exposing young players to the international stage for growth and development. He stressed the need for Hong Kong basketball to learn from global competition and continue progressing towards higher standards.
The qualifiers will adopt a tournament format and run from April 3rd to 7th. The Hong Kong Oriental Men’s Basketball Team is set to travel to Mongolia where they will face off against teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mongolia in the group stage.
As the team readies themselves for the intense competition ahead, they are determined to make their mark in the AFC Champions League qualifiers and showcase their talent on an international platform. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey to potential victory.